crb

[psychlove]

I am being eaten away by the fact that a caution i recieved 3 years ago for common assault will affect my chances of working as a clinical psychologist one day. I have been at uni for a year now, two years prior to this i was a mess, i didnt know what i was doing, i was unwell (mentally) , drinking a lot , with a very bad croud and acting in a loutish manner - and this was the cause of the night that i hit someone (it wasnt unprovoked!) which i still get upset about. Just after that i had a near death experience from a drug overdose and i believe, the day that i woke up from this, i recieved a 'sign'.....I was told there was a spare place at college to do A levels that would enable me to do a clinical psychology degree (which i always wanted to do and believed in) This day was a life changing day - .I have done so well with the degree so far and . I am so passionate about helping people now, i dont even drink now because of what happened, i act like a proffessional and i have changed so much , --- i am so good with people and i am SO worried about this caution... If i could only turn back time. Can someone help me....?

[stonekicker]

Oh, God. Another born again on the loose desperate to help others when they should have helped themselves first a long time ago. Basically, you can't deny the offence - it will show up on the CRB for any post or course you have which involves contact with clients; it still is very recent, so will not go down well with any employer or professional course provider; and seeing as you are seeking to work with a vulnerable population, do you think someone who goes around punching people is necessarily the best person to help them and be in a position of trust? Cause I don't. Oh, and by the way - plenty of people who haven't puunched others with good degrees will also be going for that dream job of yours in the future, too.

[psychlove]

Thanks, i just don't want it to over rule my chances, do you think if i explain the situation, i will be able to get that 'dream job'... It will have been over 5 years when i apply and i have heard that cautions get taken off.

[stonekicker]

In a word, no. Cautions do not get taken off and in this digital age, you can bet your bottom dollar that someone, somewhere will know about what you did - and quite rightly so! You will have to admit the offence - if you don't and they find out later or during a crb that will be the job gone. As I said earlier, there will be other candidates going for the job who won't have that risk going for them and at what shrinks get paid, the employer will want value for money and pick the candidate with the best background and highest results. Every time.

[amonty1144]

This is from liberty but before I copy it in, you do realise that not only a degree a clinical psychologist makes?

A caution is not a criminal conviction, so if you are asked whether you have any previous convictions you may say no. However, the police will retain records of your caution in the Police National Computer. This record will normally be stepped down after 5 years but will never be deleted.

If you apply for jobs, professions or occupations that require you to disclose your criminal record, such as teacher, nurse, solicitor or prison officer (see here for a full list of exempted occupations), this will show not just details of convictions, but also of cautions, warnings or reprimands.

However, this does not necessarily mean that you would be refused a job on the basis of the caution. It would not mean that you were unfit for a particular job. The organisations which are entitled to make applications to the CRB for criminal record checks are also obliged to adhere to a Code of Practice to ensure that information released by the CRB is used sensibly and fairly.

If you think that your prospective employer might take into account your caution and think it is irrelevant to the job applied for, you can write to them explaining the circumstances of the caution and why you consider it irrelevant. If you are denied employment on the basis of the caution, you may be able to challenge the decision and should seek legal advice.

[psychlove]

Again, thanks for being so helpful. I am in a real pickle now. I am even thinking about career change , i cant see things working out and what a terrible shame for doing something that i dont even remember doing - terrible thing too. I only have you to talk to about this....

[psychlove]

Thankyou Amonty x

[Mamjet]

If the person interviewing you brings it up, shout "I've changed!" and punch him in the face.

If he (or indeed she) has any sense of humour, the job will be yours.

[thebrainy123]

if worst comes to worst get a job at makkiedees they offer degrees to and you get to work with all sorts of weirdoz!!!!